Government Shutdown Threatens Funding for WIC Program

Because Wednesday marked the start of the 2026 fiscal year, the WIC program—which provides free, healthy food to low-income pregnant women, new moms, and children under 5—was expected to receive new funding. Instead, the government shutdown occurred. If the shutdown continues, access to the federal program, officially known as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, could be at risk. A letter from the USDA to WIC state agency directors on Wednesday confirmed that states would not receive their next quarterly allocation of funds during the shutdown.

Potential Impact on Millions of Families

According to the National WIC Association, a nonprofit advocacy group representing state and local WIC agencies, disruptions caused by the shutdown could deny millions of mothers and children access to nutritious foods if the government remains closed for more than a week or two. While Social Security checks will continue, national parks remain partially open, and most Medicaid and Medicare services continue, a lapse in WIC funding may be among the first widespread effects of the shutdown for nonfederal workers.

How WIC Funding Works

WIC, a program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, serves roughly 6.8 million people. It receives funding from Congress, which the USDA allocates to states quarterly. States then distribute the funds to about 10,000 WIC clinics nationwide. These clinics provide preloaded cards that members use to buy approved healthy foods at participating grocery stores. New mothers can also purchase infant formula and receive breastfeeding support.

Personal Stories Highlight Importance

Barbie Anderson, a mother of three who is pregnant, has relied on WIC to buy healthy food since her oldest child was born nine years ago. She and her family live paycheck to paycheck in Milaca, Minnesota, and the program helps them afford fruits, vegetables, eggs, milk, peanut butter, and yogurt. She has also used WIC for breastfeeding support. Normally, Anderson’s WIC card would be reloaded on October 15, but she is uncertain if that will happen this year. She said, “All the food that we get from WIC goes to our kids. So you’re really harming the kids” if services stop.

Limited Contingency Funds Available

During the shutdown, states will rely on up to $150 million in USDA contingency funds and some rollover funding from the previous fiscal year to keep services running, according to the National WIC Association. The group warned that funding could run out in a week or two depending on how states use it. Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, told House Republicans during a conference call that WIC could run out of money by next week if the government does not reopen, according to GOP sources on the call.

Calls for Congressional Action

Georgia Machell, president of the National WIC Association, said, “Historically, when there has been a shutdown, WIC has remained open for business, but because this one falls at the start of the fiscal year, there are some risks.” She urged Congress to pass a funding bill to protect the program and keep it running without interruption. A USDA spokesperson said WIC’s continued operation will depend on “state choice and the length of a shutdown.” The spokesperson added, “If Democrats do not fund the government, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will run out of funding and States will have to make a choice.”

Political Debate Over Funding Responsibility

Some House Democrats argue the federal government can keep WIC funded if the USDA commits to replenishing state funds used during the shutdown after it ends. Representatives Bobby Scott, D-Va., and Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., called on Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to do this in a letter.

Concerns from Families and Local Clinics

Anderson said without her WIC card, she may have to stop buying oranges for her children, which she uses to boost their immune systems. She worries that if her children’s health suffers, medical bills could become unaffordable. Anderson lives in a rural area with limited affordable food options. Her WIC benefits allow her to shop at the nearest grocery store, which would otherwise be too expensive. For example, a gallon of milk there costs about $5. She said, “We could go buy chips all day long for 99 cents, if we wanted to, at a run-down grocery store. But what’s that nutrition for our kids? That’s nothing.” The closest Walmart, where prices are lower, is about 45 minutes away, but gas costs make shopping there frequently expensive. Anderson is not eligible for other food assistance programs like SNAP, which is expected to continue during the shutdown. WIC generally has a higher income limit than SNAP.

State-by-State Variations and Political Concerns

The ability of WIC clinics to continue operating will likely vary by state. Brandon Meline, director of maternal and child health at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, said Illinois clinics have enough funding to last through the month. However, Meline is concerned that WIC is being used as a bargaining chip in shutdown politics. He said, “This is the first time that WIC has ever been sort of dragged into political fray nationally. We hear discussions about SNAP and cash assistance, but WIC has sort of been politically untouchable up until now.”